Coming off the success of “You & I Are Polar Opposites” we have another work of Koucha Agasawa in “The Ramparts of Ice”. For those familiar with Polar Opposites, it is very much a wholesome RomCom while having some super strong characterization and character writing. While here we get that super strong characterization and character writing. This time we have a drama romance. To note, it focuses first on the drama, where it makes the romance in this story really intriguing.
The story focuses on a group of 4 friends: Koyuki Hikawa, Minato Amamiya, Youta Hino, and Miki Azumi. This anime really dives deep into these characters and their various issues in high school. Koyuki, also known as Koyun, has her own trauma from middle school as one example. The other 3 have their own issues.
What stands out is how relatable these characters are, where it is easy to empathize or understand their viewpoint. What makes it work is that it feels like each of the 4 of them is their own protagonist in their story, so one not having a notable agency of the other really makes the story work. Even with the main 4, the anime has a super solid side cast. Without getting too much into it, it really builds up the main 4, while each giving themselves agency in the story.
While I did mention this is a drama romance. That doesn’t mean this story is melodramatic. The story hits the drama at a good pace. It’s heavy enough to feel the weight of their circumstances. At the same time, it doesn’t stay that constant. You do get some fun moments in the characters. The banter between the main 4 is really enjoyable.
Unlike Polar Opposites, this does not have the best production values. Though the direction the anime takes despite the lack of resources is done very well. So as long as you are aware this won’t have the best production values, but just good enough, you should have a great time with this anime.
With S2 announced for October, this anime, much like Polar Opposites, will be receiving a full adaptation. It will be exciting to see that animated.